Cheryl Shops

Grab some hot chocolate and crank up "All I Want for Christmas Is You," because the Cheryl Shops Holiday Gift Guide 2021 is here! You may notice that this is the earliest I've ever posted a holiday gift guide; I had actually been planning to do that since so many of the items I had wanted to feature last year had already sold out by December. But now perhaps you've heard of the global supply chain crisis, which has been impacting retail inventory since the summer, and has every news outlet urging people to do their holiday shopping early, lest our economy (and the retail industry) suffer! If you are a last-minute shopper, fret not, I'm sure there will still be presents out there. But if you're a get-'er-done-early shopper like I am, it may be wise to take advantage of all the Singles' Day, early Black Friday, and various other sales hitting your inbox. Because once you're done shopping for other people, you get to shop for yourself! So without further ado, here are my favorite gifts for 2021. 

Now that you've shopped all of the Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and even Giving Tuesday sales, time to tackle gifts for other people. While I focused on major retailers offering ridiculously good discounts in my sale post last week, for my annual holiday gift guide, I really wanted to highlight small, local, sustainable, woman- and/or POC-owned businesses, because they're the ones who really need (and deserve!) our dollars at the moment. And speaking of money, I know it's been a rough year for a lot of people, and not everyone is in a position to spend a ton on gifts. And that's ok—for me, the most important thing is knowing that my family and friends are happy, healthy, and safe. But if you are in a gifting mood, read on, be thankful, and spend mindfully. (And if you're Sean, feel free to scroll straight to the splurge section. Kidding! Sort of.)

And now, the most fun installment of my holiday gift guide: gifts for meeeee! These are the things on my wish list, from affordable to dream on, girl. Hence the name, dream gifts. Let's hope Santa sees this one before it's too late!

And now, onto the most fun gift guide of the holiday 2017 season: gifts for ME! (Hey, this is my blog, and I can dream if I want to!) Here's what I've been lusting after this year. Warning: most of these are on the splurgy side, but, Santa Baby, I've been an awful good girl.


1. I thought I wanted a pair of Gucci Marmont loafers until I saw a coworker with these. Now they're the only shoes I can think about. Gucci is THE It label right now, but these will live forever.
Gucci Princetown mules $680

2. Lingua Franca's cashmere sweaters are like the Gen X version of those T-shirts that say "Rosé all day." Some of their slogans are a bit silly (like the ones that say "Original Gangster") but "Old School"—and the bright red color—suits me just fine.
Lingua Franca Old School sweater $360

3. These earrings have inspired a thousand knockoffs (including, um, the ones I featured in my gifts for women guide), and yet all I want is the real thing.
Annie Costello Brown arc earrings $205

4. I have a DSLR camera that I paid a small fortune for several years ago; it takes beautiful photos, however I rarely use it because it weighs like 8 pounds. I want to downgrade (or upgrade?) to this mirrorless camera, which bloggers rave about. If you can't beat 'em...
Canon EOS M6 camera $799

5. I live in an old Victorian, and my apartment gets incredibly cold and drafty in the winter. This faux-fur sleeping bag looks like the perfect solution, although I fear I'd be so warm and cozy, I'd never get up from the couch.
Cuddle Up faux-fur sleeping bag $199

6. I've been looking for a leopard-print coat forever; I have a vintage one that I love, but it's falling apart. I am really particular about leopard prints, and although this one is not quite right—it's faux fur, and I'd prefer a natural woven fabric—it's pretty darn close.
House of Harlow x Revolve Perry coat $278

7. I once bought this hand soap without checking the price, and I was too embarrassed to say anything, so I brought it home anyway. It literally changed my life—it's the only hand soap I've ever used that has not dried out my hands. The price is fairly ridiculous and yet somehow worth it.
Aesop Resurrection Aromatique hand wash $39

8. Speaking of ridiculous, does anyone really need a $400 hair dryer? Like, is this really better than a Babybliss or a Hot Tools? With its featherweight construction, near-silent fan, and shortened drying time, all reviews point to yes.
Dyson supersonic hair dryer $399

9. I am so methodical about my handbags, it usually takes me close to a year to make a decision. (I am a little OCD, I know.) I have been eyeing this one all year, and after seeing it on one of my favorite fashion bloggers, I think my decision has finally been made.
A.P.C. Demi-Lune bag $470


Coming next week: a last-minute gift guide for all the procrastinators out there!

Several family members—including my husband—tell me I'm hard to shop for. Um, hello: I write a shopping blog. I talk about things I like several times a week! But, in the interest of spelling it out as clearly as possible, here's what I really want this year. Ahem. 



1. MW, my husband, claims that everything I feature on Cheryl Shops is expensive. Totally not true! But just to humor him, I would really like this Alexander Wang prisma tote. I already have one in bright blue (which I love!), but it's a warm-weather color, and, really, nothing says winter to me like leopard-print haircalf. And, hey, this one is on sale!

2. I think this Kalayana jewelry holder is kind of hilarious, if a little sacrilegious. But who better to watch over my precious baubles than the Hindu goddess of wealth, wisdom, and grace?

3. Confession: I do not own a coffee maker. This is a travesty. I probably spend $25 a week on takeout coffee. So, in theory, this Nespresso Essenza Espresso Maker (which I fell in love with during our trip to California) should save me a lot of money, right? Money that I could spend on shoes instead!

As I hope you've gathered from my previous gift guides, I truly enjoy giving gifts--probably more than I enjoy receiving them. However, if Santa decided to open up his big red bag to anything my heart desires, here's what's on my dream wish list.

Clockwise from top left (click on links to go directly to products):